Gestational diabetes mellitus is characterized by which of the following?

• A. Hyperglycemia with weight gain
• B. Inability to process carbohydrates during pregnancy
• C. Decreased insulin resistance during pregnancy
• D. Weight loss and dehydration

Answer: (B)

Carbohydrate intolerance that emerges during pregnancy is the hallmark of gestational diabetes. During pregnancy, hormones from the placenta raise insulin resistance, meaning more insulin is needed for the body to use glucose effectively. If the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance, blood glucose stays high after meals and in fasting states. That inability to adequately process carbohydrates under the pregnancy-driven insulin resistance best describes gestational diabetes.

Hyperglycemia can occur, but weight gain is not a defining feature and not diagnostic. Pregnancy itself involves weight gain, and the key factor is the impaired ability to handle glucose due to increased insulin resistance. Decreased insulin resistance does not happen in pregnancy; it actually increases. Weight loss and dehydration are not typical characteristics of gestational diabetes.